Software Development Tools ...

Development Tools are Software Developers best friend ...

• Eclipse Probably the best Java Development Enviroment you will find. It can save you tons and tons of time.
  
• Tail for Windows If you are in the habit of watching log files while your code is running, this is probably the best tool to tail the log files.
  
• Notepad++ I have always wondered as to why Microsoft never upgraded their Notepad utility. It is so lame and outdated. You need Notepad++ for today's need. Once you use it, you will never want to use any other text editor.
  
• Textpad - Better than the plain old Notepad. However, Notepad++ is way better than Textpad.
  
• VNC Server If one is using multiple Windows servers, then one cannot live without VNC Server
  
• Apache ANT Not only a build tool, it can be used to delegate lots of other mundane task
  
• Subversion The fastest growing Version Control System. Better get accustomed to it if you intend to participate in the open source development.
  
• Maven Build tool which is simpler and provides more functionality than ANT.
  
• Putty One of the best free SSH utilities.
  
• Baretail another option to Tail for Windows